by richard gentilviso

Police Officers James Cosgrove and Joseph Faivus were the September recipients of Cop of the Month honors at the October meeting of the 114th Precinct Community Council at Riccardo’s in Astoria. Cosgrove and Faivus both received plaques from the Broadway Merchants and Professionals Association and certificates of merit from Ann Bruno, 114th Community Council president, for outstanding service, achievement and committment. It was the third time the duo was awarded Cop of the Month honors within a year and Deputy Inspector James O’Brien, commanding officer of the 114th, said it was indicative of their efforts, day in, and day out.

Describing the incident which resulted in the two being given the award, which occurred abut 5 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24th, at 32nd Street and Broadway, O’Brien said that after six individuals committed a robbery, Cosgrove and Faivus made the arrests when they picked up the suspects after fanning out to search nearby locations. O’Brien, who was at the scene himself, noted the pair also made another arrest involving two individuals painting graffiti on a garage at 62nd Street and 31st Avenue on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 3:30 a.m.

Also honored was Assemblymember Denis Butler who is retiring after representing the 36th District in the state Assembly for the past 24 years. Butler congratulated Cosgrove and Faivus and quoted John F. Kennedy, saying, "Things don’t just happen, they’re made to happen." Butler said the police were always a top priority for him during his time in Albany and applauded the 114th Community Council for doing the same. Butler said he believed the Safe Streets/Safe Cities legislation, which he supported, was a contributing factor to the reduced crime rates now enjoyed across the city.

O’Brien reported that serious crime in the 114th Precinct was down 9.84 percent, year-to-date, ahead of the citywide drop at around six percent. For the last 28-day period, the seven major crime categories were down 19.77 percent in the precinct according to O’Brien, helping Queens keep its position as the borough with the greatest crime decrease. In the question period, a resident of Roosevelt Island said there was a recent spurt of more serious crime on the island. O’Brien noted two robbery incidents and said a beat patrol on Roosevelt Island is regularly on duty and sector cars would be sent over as well.

O’Brien said that 12 new officers from the most recent Police Academy class have been assigned to the precinct and residents from 10th Street along 34th and 35th Avenues and in Boulevard Gardens sought greater police presence in their areas. O’Brien also reported that the Turf Motel, previously closed for illegal activity, has been reopened through court permission.

On a question concerning convicted criminals living in public housing, Community Board 1 district manager George Delis said the problem was a housing issue, not a police issue. "The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is supposed to monitor its tenants," he said. Referring specifically to tenants who have been convicted of drug trafficking, Delis said, "These drug dealers are poisoning children," then added he had submitted a list naming 310 convicted drug dealers living in the Queensbridge Houses to the chair of the Housing Authority, without any result.

Delis also spoke about the proposed development of the Eagle Electric site at 21st Street and 24th Avenue and Community Board 1’s role in the matter. Giving the history and explaining the board’s advisory role, Delis said that when the developer of the project submits a proposal to the proper city agency, Board 1 will be notified and will then be mandated to hold a public hearing on the matter.

Delis assured everyone that members of the community board have not taken a position on the project and will do so only after they hear a presentation by the developer and public comment from the community. However, Delis did acknowledge that the community board, in his words, "basically always votes the way the community wants it to."

Delis reported a replacement for P.S. 85, the top priority on the Board 1 list of Capital Budget recommendations next year, could be built on land right next to the old school. In addition, he said speed bumps (3 humps) have been approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for placement along 19th St. near Astoria Park in an effort to control speeding in that area. Delis said meetings are scheduled concerning the fate of the Steinway Street bridge at Astoria Boulevard and a proposal concerning a new high school.